Converted defender fills Mavs' need at fullback

Mauldin senior Shawn Livingston, one of the team's best defensive players the past two years, is now the Mavs' fullback.
Bob Castello/Staff

Buy Photo

Senior Shawn Livingston, a starter at defensive end the past two years, is the fullback in Mauldin's new run-oriented offense.(Photo: BOB CASTELLO/Staff)

MAULDIN — For two years, Mauldin leaned on Shawn Livingston as one of the leaders of its defense, as an end who helped a previously struggling unit grow into one that succeeded weekly.

The Mavericks, who will host rival Hillcrest Friday night in the teams' 2017 opener, still will rely heavily on Livingston this season, but the 6-foot, 215-pound senior will be a focal point as the fullback in their more run-oriented offense.

"It was just whatever the teams needs," Livingston said. "If they need me to play tight end, fullback, H-back, receiver, if we were going to win that week, then that's what I was going to do. There wasn't really much to think about."

"That's why he's a captain," said Harry Cabaniss, who will make his debut as Mauldin coach against the Rams.

"He was a great defensive player, and now all of a sudden we ask him to go play something else, and he's like, 'All right, whatever.' That's what exemplifies what it means to play at Mauldin High School and be a leader."

The idea wasn't foreign to Livingston, who played offense coming up in rec ball, then some at wide receiver in the eighth grade and then quarterback, running back and wide receiver as a freshman.

He started at defensive end the past two years, but with the Mavs switching from the spread to more of an option-based, ball-control attack, Livingston has settled in nicely at fullback in the I-formation.

"With my body type and the way I was able to play and the offense we're running now, it kind of fit me," he said.

"I think he's found a home," said Cabaniss.

Cabaniss said Jason Branham-King has emerged as another threat at fullback, giving the Mavs a solid tandem at the position.

"I haven't really seen anybody that's been able to stop us as an offense," Livingston said. "With the offensive line blocking the way that they've been, and the receivers running good routes and blocking as well and all the runners running hard, it makes it a little easier for me, because they've got to worry about so many other things."

• Greenville, which lost five games by a total of 31 points last year, has 26 seniors on a team with high expectations in its fourth season under David Crane.

The Red Raiders will play at Wade Hampton in the opener for both teams.

• Byrnes, No. 8 in Class AAAAA, plays on the road against Greer, No. 5 in AAAA, in a game that matches teams coming off impressive Week 0 victories.

The Rebels whipped Myrtle Beach 51-0, and the Yellow Jackets, even with Westside at halftime, won 42-14.

• Among the other rivalries that will be renewed Friday night: Eastside will play at Riverside, Daniel at Easley and Travelers Rest at Berea.

The TR-Berea winner will record its first victory. Each of the others will be seeking a 2-0 start.

WEEK 1 SCHEDULE

(games at 7:30 p.m. unless indicated)

THURSDAY
Southside at Carolina

FRIDAY
Travelers Rest at Berea
Landrum at Blue Ridge
Christ Church at Broome
Daniel at Easley
Byrnes at Greer
Walhalla at Liberty
Irmo at Mann
Hillcrest at Mauldin
Woodmont at Palmetto
Pendleton at Pickens
Belton-Honea Path at Powdersville
Eastside at Riverside
Hickory Hawks (N.C.) at St. Joseph’s
Greenville at Wade Hampton
Ware Shoals at Southside Christian
Boiling Springs at Ashley Ridge
Lewisville at Blacksburg
Spartanburg Christian at Calhoun Falls
Dixie at Crescent
Union County at Gaffney
Spartanburg at Hanna
Clinton at Laurens
McCormick at Lincoln Co. (Ga.)
Greenwood at Midland Valley
Ninety Six at Newberry
Dorman at Northwestern
Chapman at Seneca
Chesnee at West-Oak
Westwood at Westside
Great Falls at Whitmire
Abbeville at Woodruff

SATURDAY
James Island at Wren, noon

Read or Share this story: https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/high-school/highschoolhangout/2017/08/24/converted-defender-fills-mavs-need-fullback/596465001/